reflux or hernia ?

I'll start at the beginning.  Age 50, in good health, very fit, 5'8 and 138lbs.  Eat healthy, non smoker. I ride horses and do endurance type events, jumping etc.  Had acid reflux for several years  and finally started on Prilosic. Was tested for h.pylori and was neg last year.  Prilosic worked well and I stayed on for approx 6 months, weaned off and had been fine for 9 months. Then I had a big episode out of the blue though probably related to stress (had to buy a new vehicle), immediately after that, got a serious head cold and was on mega meds, and heavy work load.  So I had a bad bout of reflux.  No leading up to it, just bam... I'm dying.  I started back on Prilosic and I am doing ok, and its been about 10 days, but I have noticed that the last two Saturdays when I did heavy riding on my horse (3+ hours of cantering and trot work) and then ate a small meal I got a dull pain again just below the diaphram . No burning, slight belching with that dull ache.  I had been fine during the week, eating light meals, easily digestable meals etc as I know it takes time to heal but can heavy exercise trigger this ??  and could I have a hiatal hernia ? The dull pain feels more like a muscle type pain (I think) and not really a stomach pain but heck, its so hard to tell the difference but now that it has happened two Saturdays in a row after alot of hard riding, I am thinking it might be connected some how.  I have a good appetite, no stomach upset, no nausea (as I did with a bad episode)  . Figured I would ask here before having to contact the specialist. My regular doctor did recommend the prilosic and since it worked well and I had no issues there was no need for me to go to a specialist yet.   Any help would be appreciated.  Thank you.

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
Any exercise involving the abdominal muscles can worsen acid reflux.
Even tight fitting clothes can worsen it.
If it is due to muscle pain tylenol would provide relief.

[tinapastina]

i think you should have an endoscopy done to rule out a hernia.